Final Survey

Attitudes and Beliefs
About the Use of

Over-the-Counter Medicines:
A Dose of Reality
A National Survey of
Consumers and Health
Professionals
Prepared for:
National Council on Patient Information and Education
(NCPIE)
January 2002
www.harrisinteractive.com
Table of Contents
Background and Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Research Methodology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Findings of the Consumer Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Section One: America’s Health and Well Being . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Section Two: Consumer Use of OTC Medicines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Section Three: Consumer Use of OTC Labels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Section Four: Knowledge About OTC Drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Section Five: Taking Too Much of an OTC Product. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Section Six: Experience with Side Effects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Section Seven: Interaction with Health Professionals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Section Eight: Demographic Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Findings of the Health Professional Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Section One: Key Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Section Two: Perceptions of How Patients Take OTC Drugs . . . . . . . . . 48
Section Three: Counseling About Adverse Reactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Section Four: Counseling Patients/Customers About OTC Use . . . . . . . 57
Section Five: Sources of Information About Nonprescription Medicine 71
Section Six: Demographic Profiles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Page 2 Harris Interactive Inc.

Background and Purpose
Introduction
When it comes to treating such common ailments as coughs and colds, fever, heartburn
and aches and pains, more Americans are using more types of nonprescription, over-
the-counter (OTC) medicines than ever before. Once consisting of a relatively small
number of medications, OTC medicines now account for the majority of all
medications used in the United States, including many that were once available only by
prescription. According to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA),
there are more than 100,000 OTC drug products on the market today encompassing
about 1,000 significant active ingredients. Of these products, more than 700 contain
ingredients and dosages that were available by prescription less than 30 years ago.
With so many Americans using so many OTC medicines, an important question for the
public health community is, “how well do consumers understand and process essential
information about OTC products?” This question is particularly relevant now that the
majority of OTC products is converting to a federally mandated “Drug Facts” label in
2002. Required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the new label will
make it easier to select the most appropriate OTC product and understand a drug’s
benefits and risks. However, developing programs to promote the new label first
requires an assessment of the extent to which the facts contained on the label are now
being incorporated into the public’s decisions about self-care.
Towards this end, the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE)
commissioned a comprehensive survey to track the opinions influencing the self-
medicating behaviors of the American public. Conducted by Harris Interactive, the
survey consisted of two complementary polls: one of 1,011 adult Americans aged 18
and over conducted between October and November 2001, and the other involving 451
pharmacists, nurses and general practice physicians who were surveyed in November
and December 2001. By comparing the attitudes and beliefs of the general public with
health practitioners, the survey identified the areas where education about OTC use is
most needed.

Highlights of the Findings

1. The majority of Americans take nonprescription medicines routinely for a variety of
common ailments.
! Today, three in five Americans (59 percent) report having taken at least one OTC drug
product in the past six months. In fact, slightly more Americans have taken an OTC
medicine during the last six months than a prescription drug (54 percent).
! Americans take OTC medicines for a wide variety of ailments. Most commonly they are
taken for: pain (78 percent); a cough, cold, flu or sore throat (52 percent); allergy or sinus
problems (45 percent); heartburn, indigestion and other stomach problems (37 percent);
constipation, diarrhea and gas (21 percent); minor infections (12 percent); and skin
problems (10 percent).
2. Despite widespread use of nonprescription medicines, many consumers need more

information about when and how to take these products.
! Of special concern to health professionals is a lack of understanding about active ingredients
in OTC medicines, especially since different OTC products may contain the same active
ingredient. Of the 79 percent of physicians, nurses and pharmacists in the poll who say that
the potential for inappropriate use of OTC remedies is a concern, seven in ten (69 percent)
cite not understanding active ingredients as the biggest problem.
! This is confirmed by the consumer poll, which found that only 34 percent of the public
could
identify the active ingredient in their brand of pain reliever.
! In addition, only one in ten (11 percent) correctly say that nonprescription medicines
formulated for babies are usually more concentrated than formulations for older children.

3. At the same time, consumers tend to overlook important label information when
selecting and using OTC products.
! Although the vast majority of Americans who use nonprescription medicines (95 percent)
read some portion of the OTC drug label, the survey finds that many do so selectively when
buying or using a nonprescription medicine. When asked what information they look for
when buying an OTC drug for the first time, two in five (41 percent) cite usage information
(e.g., directions for use, information on dosage level and symptoms), one in three (34
percent) mention the active ingredient, and one in five (21 percent) say warnings
information.
! Similarly, half (51 percent) of those surveyed say they seek out usage information when they
plan to take an OTC product for the first time. However, only 20 percent look for the active
ingredient.
4. Because some Americans have an incomplete knowledge about OTC medicines, they
may take too much of a single product or mix OTC drugs inappropriately.
! According to the consumer poll, a third of Americans say they take more than the
recommended dose of a nonprescription medicine, believing that it will increase the
effectiveness of the product. Of these consumers, two-thirds (69 percent) say they take more
than the recommended amount at a single time; three-fifths (63 percent) report taking the
next dose sooner than directed; and two-fifths (44 percent) say they take more than the
recommended number of doses in a day.
! At the same time, a third of Americans (36 percent) say they are likely to combine
nonprescription medicines when they have multiple symptoms, such as a headache and a
sore throat. This practice can increase the risk that consumers take more than one OTC
product at a time that contain the same active ingredient.
! These findings were reinforced in the poll of health professionals where practitioners cited a
number of ways in which consumers may be taking nonprescription medicines incorrectly.
Among the 79 percent of physicians, nurses and pharmacists who said they were concerned
about the problem, practitioners cited these factors: combining OTC and prescription
medicines (51 percent); the chronic use of an OTC medicine (44 percent); using an OTC
drug for a prescription indication (32 percent); and taking more than one OTC product at a
time that has the same active ingredient (27 percent).

5. Besides new and easy-to-read label information, the involvement of health

practitioners will increase the public’s ability to understand the risks and benefits
of OTC remedies.
! According to the consumer poll, almost as many consumers get their information about
nonprescription medicines from the mass media (49 percent) as they do from health
professionals (57 percent).
! This is not because health professionals are unwilling to discuss OTC use with their
patients. In fact, three in four of the practitioners surveyed (75 percent) say they ask their
patients/customers directly about OTC drug use most or all of the time. Only one-
quarter of health professionals (27 percent) say they wait for patients to volunteer
information about their OTC use.
! When discussing the use of nonprescription medicines, the survey finds that the majority
of practitioners (65 percent) spend more than a minute offering specific counseling.
Most of this time is spent on: how to take a product (62 percent); what OTC drug to use
(56 percent); how well the product works (54 percent); drug interactions (50 percent);
taking more than one OTC drug at a time (49 percent); cautions prior to or following
surgery (43 percent); and taking more than the recommended dose of an OTC medicine
(42 percent).
#####

Research Methodology
To compare and contrast the attitudes of the general public with those of health professionals,
Harris Interactive conducted two complementary polls between October and December 2001.
In the first poll, which was conducted between October 25 and November 11, 2001, Harris
Interactive used a telephone survey of 1,011 adult Americans to track the opinions influencing
how consumers select and use nonprescription drugs. The margin of error for this study is +
3.1percent. In designing the survey, Harris Interactive used these criteria:
" Respondents had to be adults, aged 18 years or older.
" Respondents were selected via an unrestricted random digit dial (RDD) technique
that significantly reduces serial bias and ensures that respondents with both listed
and unlisted telephone numbers are reached.
" The data was weighted to conform to known demographic characteristics of the
U.S.
The second poll was conducted between November 17 and December 7, 2001 and consisted of
451 interviews with health professionals who counsel on OTC use. Specifically, Harris
surveyed 150 physicians in general practice, 150 nurses including 50 pediatric nurses, and 151
pharmacists. In all cases, the respondents were screened to confirm that they have regular
contact with patients/caregivers. The margin of error for this study is + 4.6 percent.

Findings of the
Consumer Survey
Section 1:
America’s Health and Well Being
1. Americans say they are in good health.

" Four out of five (84%) Americans say their health is good, very good,
or excellent.
" Half (52%) of Americans say their health is either excellent or very
good.
Overall,
Overall,how
howwould
wouldyou
yourate
rateyour
yourcurrent
currenthealth?
health?
Not sure responses omitted
Excellent 21%
52%
Very good 31% 84%
Good 32%
Fair 12%
Poor 4%

Section 1:
America’s Health and Well Being
2. Most Americans have visited a doctor in the past year.
" Three-quarters (74%) of Americans have visited a doctor in

the past year.
Have
Haveyou
youvisited
visitedaadoctor
doctorin
inthe
thepast
pastyear
yearfor
forany
anyreason?
reason?
74% 26%
Yes No

Section 2:
Consumer Use of OTC Medicines
1. Americans take nonprescription medications routinely.
" Three-fifths (59%) of Americans have taken a nonprescription
medication in the past six months.
◆ Americans are slightly more likely to have taken a
nonprescription medication in the past six months (59%) than a
prescription one (54%).
Many
Manypeople
peopletake
takevarious
variouskinds
kindsof
ofmedicines
medicinesand
andremedies.
remedies.
In the past six months, have you taken any of the following?
In the past six months, have you taken any of the following?
Summary of “Yes”
Vitamins 63%
A nonprescription medicine, that is,

medicine that is available at a store 59%
or pharmacy without a prescription
A prescription medicine 54%
Minerals 26%
Dietary or herbal supplements 23%

Section 2:
2. Americans take nonprescription medications for a wide range
of ailments.
" Three-quarters (78%) of those who have taken a nonprescription
medication in the past six months have done so to relieve pain.
" One-half (52%) have taken a nonprescription medication for a cough,
cold, flu, or sore throat.
Over
Overthe
thepast
pastsix
sixmonths,
months,have
haveyou
youtaken
takenaanonprescription
nonprescription
medicine for any of the following?
medicine for any of the following?
Base: Taken nonprescription medication in the past six months (n=598)
Pain relief 78%
Cough, cold, flu or sore throat 52%
Allergy or sinus relief 45%

Heartburn, indigestion or other
stomach problems 37%
Constipation, diarrhea or gas 21%

Infections such as athlete’s foot or a
yeast infection 12%
Skin problems
10%
Other 3%

Section 2:
3. Consumers who have taken a nonprescription or prescription medication
in the past six months take an average of 2.2 nonprescription medications
and 3.0 prescription medications per month.
" One-third (36%) take three or more prescription medications per month.
" One-quarter (28%) take three or more nonprescription medications per month.
Thinking
Thinkingabout
aboutthe
thepast
pastmonth,
month,that
thatis,
is,the
thelast
last30
30days,
days,how
howmany
manydifferent
different
(nonprescription
(nonprescriptionor
orprescription
prescriptionmedicines)
medicines)have
haveyou
youtaken?
taken?
Base: Taken nonprescription medication in the past six months (n=598)
None 10%
12%
38% Non-
One
30% pres cription
Two 21% Pres cription

21%
Three 15%
11% Mean (nonprescription): 2.2
Mean (Prescription): 3.0
Four to five 9%
12%
Six or more 4%
13%
Don’t know/not sure 3%

1%
Section 2:
4. Americans take about the same number of nonprescription
medications as they did five years ago.
" One-half (54%) of Americans say they take about the same number of
nonprescription medications as they did five years ago.
" One-fifth (22%) says they are taking more.
I’d
I’dlike
likeyou
youto
tothink
thinkabout
aboutnonprescription
nonprescriptionmedicines,
medicines,that
thatis,
is,medicines
medicinesavailable
available
atataastore
store or pharmacy without a prescription. Would you say that you aretaking
or pharmacy without a prescription. Would you say that you are taking
more,
more,fewer
fewerororabout
aboutthe
thesame
samenumber
numberofofproducts
productsthan
thanyou
youdid
didfive
fiveyears
yearsago?
ago?
More 22%
Fewer 20%
About the same 54%

Section 2:
5. Americans also say that they are using nonprescription
medication about as frequently as they did five years ago.
" One-half (54%) of Americans say they use nonprescription medication

with about the same frequency as they did five years ago.
" One-fifth (19%) say they use nonprescription medication more
frequently.
Are
Areyou
youusing
usingthese
thesenonprescription
nonprescriptionproducts
productsmore
more
frequently,
frequently,less
lessfrequently
frequentlyor
orabout
aboutthe
thesame
sameas
asfive
fiveyears
years
ago?
ago?
More frequently 19%
Less frequently 22%
About the same 54%

Section 3:
Consumer Use of OTC Labels
1. Americans are more likely to read nonprescription medication

labels for usage information when they take the medication for
the first time compared to when they buy the medication for the
first time.
" Half (51%) of Americans read the label on a nonprescription
medication for usage information when they take the medication for the
first time.
" Four out of ten (41%) read the label on a non -prescription medication
for usage information when they buy the medication for the first time.
Americans are equally likely to read nonprescription medication

labels for safety information both when they take the medication
for the first time and when they buy the medication for the first
time.
" One-fifth (21%) of Americans read the label on a nonprescription
medication for safety information when they take the medication for the
first time.
" One-fifth (21%) read the label on a non -prescription medication for
safety information when they buy the medication for the first time.

Section 3:
2. Although the vast majority of Americans who use nonprescription

medicines (95%) read some portion of the labels on
nonprescription medications, they do so selectively both when they
buy the medication for the first time and when they take the
medication for the first time.
" One-third (34%) of Americans read the label for the active ingredient
when they buy a nonprescription medicine for the first time.
" One out of five (19%) reads the label for usage directions when they buy
a nonprescription medicine for the first time.
" One out of six (16%) reads the label for dosage level when they buy a
nonprescription medicine for the first time.
Americans are most likely to read the label for dosage instructions
when they take a nonprescription medication for the first time.
" One-quarter (25%) of Americans read the label for dosage instructions
when they take a nonprescription medication for the first time.
" One out of five reads the label for usage directions (22%) or the active
ingredient (20%) when they take a nonprescription medication for the
first time.
However, only one in ten Americans reads the label for possible side-
effects or usage warnings the first time he/she buys the product or
the first time he/she takes the product.
" One in ten Americans reads the label for possible side effects the first
time they buy the product or the first time they take the product (10% and
9%, respectively).
" Fewer than one in ten reads the label for usage warnings the first time
they buy the product or the first time they take the product (7% for each).

Section 3:
Now
NowI’mI’mgoing
goingtotoask
askyouyouto
tothink aboutbuying
thinkabout buyingaanonprescription
nonprescription
medicine
medicine for the first time. When you look at the package,including
for the first time. When you look at the package, including
the
thefront,
front,the
theback
backand
andthethesides,
sides,what
whatinformation
informationdo doyou
youread?
read? Now,
Now,
thinking about when you take
thinking about when you take the nonprescription medicine for thefirst
the nonprescription medicine for the first
time,
time,what
whatinformation
informationdo doyou
youread
readon
onthe
thepackage?
package?
Unaided responses
19%
22%
Directions for usage Buy
16%
Take
25%
41% net for buy
Dosage level
51% net for take
12%
10%
Symptoms it is used for

Section 3:
Now
NowI’m I’mgoing
goingtotoask
askyou
youto
tothink aboutbuying
nonprescriptionmedicine
medicine
for
for the first time. When you look at the package, including the front,the
the first time. When you look at the package, including the front, theback
back
and
andthe
thesides,
sides,what
whatinformation
informationdo
doyouyouread?
read? Now,
Now,thinking
thinkingabout
aboutwhen
whenyou
you
take the nonprescription medicine for the first time, what information
take the nonprescription medicine for the first time, what information do you do you
read?
read?
Unaided responses
Possible side 10%

effects of usage
9%
Buy
Warnings about usage
with other OTC 7%
medicine 21% net for buy Take
7% 21% net for take
Effects of
interaction
6%
with alcohol
6%

Section 3:
Now
NowI’m I’mgoing
goingtotoask
askyou
youto
tothink aboutbuying
medicine
for
for the first time. When you look at the package, includingthe
the first time. When you look at the package, including thefront,
front,the
theback
back
and the sides, what information do you read? Now, thinking about
and the sides, what information do you read? Now, thinking about when you when you
take
takethethenonprescription
medicineforforthe
thefirst
firsttime,
time,what
whatinformation
informationdo doyou
you
read?
read?
Unaided responses
“Other” responses omitted
Active ingredients
34%
20%
Brand name
8%
5%
4% B uy
Price
2%
All of it/everything 5% Take
4%
Do not read anything on label 5%
6%
Do not buy/take nonprescription 3%
medicine 3%
7%

Section 3:
3. Under certain circumstances, Americans say they are likely to

re-read the labels of nonprescription medications.
" Three-quarters of those who have taken a nonprescription medication
say they would re-read the label if they were giving the medicine to a
child (77%) or if they were thinking about taking the medicine at the
same time they were taking a prescription medication (74%).
Once
Onceyou
youhave
havealready
alreadyused
usedaanonprescription
nonprescriptionmedicine,
medicine,for
forwhich,
which,ifif
any,
any, of the following reasons would you read the label again? Are
of the following reasons would you read the label again? Are
you likely to re-read the label in the following circumstances?
you likely to re-read the label in the following circumstances?
Summary of “Yes,” multiple responses allowed

Base: Take nonprescription medicine (n=983)
When giving the nonprescription

medicine to a child 77%
If you are thinking about taking the
nonprescription medicine at the
same time you are taking 74%
prescription medicine
If you haven’t read the label in a

long time
70%
If you are thinking about taking the
nonprescription medicine at the
same time you are taking another
nonprescription medicine
67%
Other
3%

Section 4:
Knowledge About OTC Drugs
1. Most Americans who take nonprescription medication for their
headaches do not know what the active ingredient in their
headache medication is.
" Only one-third (34%) of Americans who take a nonprescription
medication for their headache can correctly identify its active
ingredient.
" Two-thirds (66%) either incorrectly identify the active ingredient or do
not know what the active ingredient is.
And,
And,to
tothe
thebest
bestof
ofyour
yourrecollection,
recollection,what
whatisisthe
theactive
activeingredient
ingredient
in
inthat
thatbrand?
brand?
Can correctly identify active 34%

ingredient
Cannot correctly identify active 66%

ingredient

Section 4:
2. A majority of Americans do not know that the most accurate
way to determine the amount of medicine for a child under the
age of 12 is by weight alone.
" A majority (54%) of Americans incorrectly say that the most accurate
way to determine the amount of medicine for a child under the age of
12 is by weight and age.
" One-fifth (21%) correctly says weight alone is the most accurate
method.
Based
Basedon
onwhat
whatyou
youknow,
know,what
whatisisthe
themost
mostaccurate
accurateway
wayto
to
determine
determine the amount of medicine for a child under theage
the amount of medicine for a child under the ageof
of
12?
12?
Both weight and age 54%
Weight
**correct response**
21%
Age
15%
Neither weight nor age 1%

Section 4:
3. Most Americans incorrectly say that nonprescription
medications for babies are less concentrated than formulations
for older children.
" Half (51%) of Americans say that nonprescription medicines for babies
are less concentrated than those for older children.
" Only one out of ten (11%) correctly says that the concentration for
babies is higher than for older children.
To
Tothe
thebest
bestof
ofyour
yourknowledge,
knowledge,arearenonprescription
nonprescriptionmedicines
medicines
formulated for babies more concentrated, less concentrated
formulated for babies more concentrated, less concentrated
than
thanformulations
formulationsfor
forolder
olderchildren,
children,or
orare
arethey
theyabout
aboutthe
the
same?
same?
More concentrated
**correct response** 11%
Less concentrated 51%
About the same 22%

Section 5:
Taking Too Much of an OTC Product
1. One out of three Americans has taken more than the
recommended dose of a nonprescription medication.
" One-third (33%) of Americans have taken more than the recommended
dose of a nonprescription medicine.
Have
Haveyou
youever
evertaken
takenmore
morethan
thanthe
therecommended
recommendeddose
doseof
ofaa
nonprescription
nonprescriptionmedicine?
medicine?
1% Not sure
33% Yes
66% No

Section 5:
2. Americans who exceed the recommended dosage of
nonprescription medications do so in multiple ways.
" Two-thirds (69%) take more than the recommended number of pills at
one time.
" Three-fifths (63%) take the next dose sooner than directed on the label.
" Two-fifths (44%) take more dosages per day than indicated by the
label.
Have
Haveyou
youtaken:
taken:
Base: Have taken more than

recommended dose of nonprescription
medicine (n=334)
Multiple responses allowed
More than the recommended 69%

number of pills at a single time
The next dose sooner than directed 63%

on the label
More than the number of dosages 44%

per day as directed on the label

Section 5:
3. Nine out of ten (91%) Americans who exceed the recommended
dose of nonprescription medications do so because they think it
will increase the effectiveness of the medication.
" Seven out of ten (69%) say they believed exceeding the recommended
dose would bring relief more quickly.
" Two-thirds say it is because they had severe symptoms (68%) or
because they did not get any better taking the recommended dose
(64%).
Thinking
Thinkingabout
aboutthe
themost
mostrecent
recenttime
timeyou
youtook
tookmore
morethan
thanthe
the
recommended dose, why did you take more? Was it because
recommended dose, why did you take more? Was it because
you:
you:
Base: Have taken more than recommended dose of nonprescription medicine (n=334)
Believed it would bring 69%

relief more quickly
Had severe symptoms (e.g.,
in a great deal of pain/very
nauseous) 68% 91% of
total
Did not get any better respondents
taking the recommended 64%
dose
Had taken the prescription

version of the medicine 38%
previously
Other 5%

Section 5:
4. Under various circumstances, Americans think it is likely that people take

more than the recommended dosages of nonprescription medications.
" One-half (48%) say this likely happens when people have severe symptoms.
" Almost one-half say this likely happens when it will bring relief more quickly
(47%) or when people don’t get any better taking the recommended amount (45%).
People
Peoplesometimes
sometimestake takemore
morethan
thanthe
therecommended
recommendedamount amountof ofaanonprescription
nonprescriptionmedicine.
medicine.
This
This can occur if a person takes more pills than recommended, or takes the next dosesooner
can occur if a person takes more pills than recommended, or takes the next dose sooner
than
thandirected
directedon onthe
thelabel.
label. Based
Basedon
onwhat
whatyou youknow,
know,isisititextremely
extremelylikely,
likely,very
verylikely,
likely,
somewhat
somewhatlikely,
likely,not
notvery
verylikely,
likely,or
ornot
notatatall
alllikely
likelythat
thatpeople
peoplewould
wouldtake
takemore
morethan
thanthe
the
recommended dose because
recommended dose because they: they:
Summary: Extremely/Very likely
Have severe symptoms (e.g., in a

great deal of pain/very nauseous) 48%
Believe it will bring relief more

quickly
47%
Do not get any better taking the

recommended amount 45%
Believe nonprescription medicines

are too weak to cause any problems 41%
Have taken the prescription version

of the medicine previously 37%

Section 5:
5. Americans say that some forms of administering nonprescription
medications make it more difficult to get the recommended dose.
" Four out of five (81%) Americans say that getting the recommended dose is either
somewhat easy or very easy when the nonprescription medicine comes in pill form.
" Two-thirds say the same for liquid (68%) and chewable tablet (67%) forms.
" However, just slightly more than half (54%) say that getting the recommended dose
is easy when the medication comes in the form of drops.
nonprescription
nonprescriptionmedicines
medicinesoften
oftencome
comein invarious
variousforms,
forms,such
suchas
aspills,
pills,chewable
chewabletablets,
tablets,liquid
liquid
and drops. Do you believe it is very easy, somewhat easy, neither easy nor difficult,
and drops. Do you believe it is very easy, somewhat easy, neither easy nor difficult,
somewhat
somewhatdifficult
difficultor
orvery
verydifficult
difficulttotoget
getthe
therecommended
recommendeddose doseififthe
thenonprescription
nonprescription
medicine is a:
medicine is a:
Summary of “very/somewhat easy”
Pill 81%
Liquid 68%
Chewable tablet 67%
Drop 54%

Section 5:
6. Many Americans are likely to combine nonprescription
medications when they have multiple symptoms.
" One-third (36%) of Americans are likely to combine nonprescription
medications when they have multiple symptoms such as a headache
and a sore throat.
◆ One-fifth (22%) is very or extremely likely to combine
medications in such circumstances.
IfIfyou
youhave
havemore
morethan
thanone
onesymptom
symptomatatthe
thesame
sametime,
time,such
suchas
asaaheadache
headacheand
andaasore
sorethroat,
throat,
how likely are you to take more than one nonprescription medicine? Are you:
how likely are you to take more than one nonprescription medicine? Are you:
Extremely likely 7%
22%
36%
Very likely 15%
Somewhat likely 14%
Not very likely 29%
Not at all likely 32%

Section 6:
Experience with Side Effects
1. Most Americans (82%) have never experienced a negative
reaction or side effect from taking a nonprescription medicine.
" Only 17% of those polled say they experienced a negative reaction or
side effect from a nonprescription medication.
Have
Have you
youever
everexperienced
experiencedaanegative
negative reaction
reaction or
orside
side
effect from taking a nonprescription medicine?
effect from taking a nonprescription medicine?
17% 82%
Yes No
1%
Not sure

Section 6:
Experience with Side Effects
2. Most Americans who say they experienced a negative reaction or
side effect did not believe the reaction was serious enough to
consult a doctor.
" Only one-quarter (24%) of those who say they experienced a negative
reaction or side effect contacted a doctor as a result.
" One-quarter (26%) stopped taking the medicine.
Thinking
Thinkingabout
aboutthe
thelast
lasttime
timeyou
youexperienced
experiencedaanegative
negativereaction
reactionor
orside
sideeffect
effectfrom
fromtaking
takingaa
nonprescription
medicine,what
whatdid
didyou
youdo?
do?
Unaided responses
Base: Had a negative reaction or side effect from a nonprescription medicine (n=170)
Stopped taking the nonprescription

medicine 26%
Contacted a doctor 24%
Waited until you felt better 20%
Went to the emergency room 5%
Contacted a pharmacist 4%
Took a different nonprescription
medicine 4%
Contacted a friend or family 2%
member
Contacted a nurse 2%
Other 9%

Section 7:
Interaction with Health Professionals
1. Americans receive as much information about nonprescription medicine
from advertising, or promotions from television or newspapers and
magazines, as they do from doctors.
" One-half (49%) of Americans say they have received information about
nonprescription medicine from advertising or promotions in the past six months.
" Just under one-half (47%) say they have received information from a doctor.
Within
Withinthe
thepast
pastsix
sixmonths,
months,have
haveyou
youreceived
receivedinformation
information
about
about nonprescription medicine from anyof
nonprescription medicine from any ofthe
thefollowing?
following?
Advertising or promotions from TV,

newspapers or magazines 49%
A doctor 47%
Articles or information from TV,
newspapers or magazines 46%
A pharmacist 38%
A nurse
34%
Your friends or relatives 28%

The Internet
12%
The federal government 8%

Section 7:
2. A majority of Americans have received information about a
nonprescription medicine from a medical professional in the
past six months.
" More than half (57%) of Americans have received information

about nonprescription medicine from a medical professional in the
past six months.
Within
Withinthe
thepast
pastsix
sixmonths,
months,have
haveyou
youreceived
receivedinformation
information
about
about nonprescription medicine from any of thefollowing?
nonprescription medicine from any of the following?
Doctor
47%
57% of total
Pharmacist 38% respondents
Nurse
34%

Section 7:
3. Among those Americans who have not received information

about nonprescription medication in the past six months from a
medical professional, the most often mentioned reason is a lack of
access or because they didn’t see a medical professional.
" More than one-third (36%) of Americans who have not received
information from a doctor about nonprescription medication say that it
was due to a lack of access or because they didn’t see a doctor.
" One-third (32%) of Americans who have not received information from
a nurse about nonprescription medication say that it was due to a lack
of access or because they didn’t see a nurse.
" One-quarter (27%) of Americans who have not received information

from a pharmacist about nonprescription medication say that it was due
to a lack of access or because they didn’t see a pharmacist.

Section 7:
4. The second most likely reason Americans have not received

information from a medical professional about a nonprescription
medication in the past six months is because the respondent did
not think it was necessary.
" Just over one out of ten (13%) Americans who has not received
information from a doctor about nonprescription medications says
that it was because it was not necessary.
" One out of seven (15%) Americans who has not received information
from a pharmacist about nonprescription medications says that it was
because it was not necessary.
" One out of seven (14%) Americans who has not received information
from a nurse about nonprescription medications says that it was
because it was not necessary.
About one in ten Americans who has not received information

about nonprescription medication from a medical professional
says it was because he/she forgot to ask (11% for doctors, 13%
for pharmacists, and 10% for nurses).
About one in ten Americans who has not received information

about nonprescription medication from a medical professional
says it was because he/she had all the information they needed
(11% for doctors, 11% for pharmacists, and 10% for nurses).

Section 7:
5. Americans are least likely to talk with a medical professional
about taking more than the recommended dose of a
nonprescription medicine (30%), the use of leftover prescription
antibiotics (33%), or about the use of nonprescription pain
relievers (36%).
People
Peopletalk
talkwith
withmedical
medicalprofessionals
professionalsabout aboutmany
manydifferent
differentthings.
things. For
Foreach
eachof
ofthe
the
following, please tell me whether you are extremely likely, very likely, somewhat
following, please tell me whether you are extremely likely, very likely, somewhat
likely,
likely,not
notvery
verylikely
likelyorornot
notatatall
alllikely
likelytototalk
talkto
toaamedical
medicalprofessional
professionalabout
aboutthe
the
following:
following:
Summary of “extremely/very likely”
Use of nonprescription medicine

prior to or following surgery 55%
Use of aspirin for a heart condition 48%
Taking more than one

nonprescription medicine at 40%
a time
Use of a nonprescription pain 36%

reliever
Use of leftover prescription 33%

antibiotics
Taking more than the recommended

dose of a nonprescription medicine 30%

Section 8:
Demographic Profile
Age % Household Income %
18 - 24 13 Less than $25,000 19

25 - 29 9 $25,000 < $50,000 23
30 - 34 10 $50,000 < $75,000 16
35 - 39 10 $75,000 < $100,000 6
40 - 49 20 $100,000 < $125,000 4
50 - 59 16 $125,000 or more 4
60 or older 20 Refused 28
Refused 2
Mean (in $000’s) 51.8
Mean age (in years) 45.6 Median (in $000’s) 32.2
Median age (in years) 39.7
Marital Status %
Education %
Married 50
Less than high school graduate 10 Unmarried/living with significant 4
High school graduate 29 other
Some college 26 Single, never married 26
College graduate 20 Separated 1
Postgraduate study 12 Divorced 9
Refused 3 Widowed 7
Refused 3

Section 8:
Demographic Profile
Gender % Race %
Male 48 White 78
Female 52 Black 11
Asian 2
Hispanic 4
Other 1
Refused 4

Findings of the Health
Professional Survey
Section 1:
Key Findings
1. While consumers say they are taking the same number of OTC
drugs as five years ago, medical professionals report that
nonprescription medicine use among patients/customers has
increased.
" Seventy-three percent of medical professionals believe that
patients/customers are taking more nonprescription products today than
five years ago.
◆ Only five percent report that usage has decreased in the past five
years.
" More than three in four doctors (78%) and pharmacists (83%) feel that
patients/customers are taking more nonprescription medicines than five
years ago.
2. Inappropriate use of nonprescription medicines is a problem

according to medical professionals.
" One in three (32%) feels inappropriate use is very or extremely serious.
◆ An additional 47% believe it is somewhat serious.
3. Among those who view inappropriate use of nonprescription

medicines as a problem, many feel that certain patient/customer
behaviors are widespread problems.
" Half (51%) of medical professionals feel that concurrent use of
nonprescription and prescription medicines is a very or extremely
widespread problem.
" One in three feels that taking doses of nonprescription medicine too
frequently during the day (35%) and taking too much of a dose at one
time (33%) are very or extremely widespread problems.

Section 1:
Key Findings
4. Medical professionals who feel that inappropriate use of
nonprescription medicine is a serious problem identify a number
of contributing factors.
" Three in five (60%) medical professionals say that the presence of the
same active ingredient in different nonprescription medicines
contributes a lot or a great deal to inappropriate use.
" Seven in ten (69%) medical professionals believe that

patients/customers do not know the active ingredient in the
nonprescription medicines they take.
◆ This assessment is correct. When asked about their preferred
nonprescription pain relief products, two-thirds (66%) of
Americans either misidentify the active ingredient or say that they
do not know what the active ingredient is.
" Sixty percent of medical professionals also feel that the failure of
patients/customers to read product labeling is a contributing factor to
inappropriate use.
◆ Medical professionals have some basis for their beliefs given the
reports of consumers.
# Only one in three (34%) Americans reads product labeling for the
active ingredient when they first buy a nonprescription medicine.
# Only one in five (20%) reads product labeling for the active
ingredient when they take a nonprescription medicine for the first
time.

Section 1:
Key Findings
5. The majority of medical professionals has advised a
patient/customer regarding a negative reaction to a
nonprescription medicine in the past six months.
" Three in five (60%) report that they have advised someone who has
experienced a negative reaction or side effect from taking a
nonprescription medicine.
The recommendation to patients/customers who have experienced

a negative reaction is a simple one: stop taking the
nonprescription medication that caused the reaction.
" This was the advice given by seven in ten (71%) medical professionals
6. Most medical professionals learn of their patients’/customers’

use of nonprescription medicine by asking them directly.
" Three in four (75%) medical professionals ask their patients/customers

directly about their use of nonprescription medicine most or all of the
time.
" Two in five (42%) medical professionals learn about their
patient/customer’s use of nonprescription medicine when their patients
or customers ask them.
" One in four medical professionals waits for patients/customers to
volunteer information on their use (27%) or for patients/customers to
provide a list of nonprescription medicines they are taking (27%).

Section 1:
Key Findings
7. Medical professionals say they ask their patients about issues

having to do with nonprescription medicine more frequently than
their patients ask them.
" Half (49%) of medical professionals say they frequently ask their
patients about taking more than one nonprescription medicine at a time.
◆ Only one-quarter (27%) say their patients frequently ask them.
" Four out of ten (42%) medical professionals say they frequently ask
their patients about taking more than the recommended dose of a
◆ Only one in six (16%) say their patients frequently ask them.
patients about drug interactions.
their patients about the use of nonprescription medicine immediately
prior to surgery.

Section 1:
Key Findings
8. Consumers are more likely to say that they would ask a medical
professional about a particular issue having to do with
nonprescription medications than medical professionals say their
patients are likely to ask them.
" More than half (55%) of consumers say they would be likely to ask a
medical professional about the use of nonprescription medicine
immediately prior to or following surgery.
◆ Only one-quarter (27%) of medical professionals say their
patients frequently ask about this issue.
" Three out of ten (30%) consumers say they would be likely to ask a
medical professional about taking more than the recommended dose of
a nonprescription medicine.
◆ Only one out of six (16%) medical professionals say their patients
frequently ask about this issue.
" Four out of ten (40%) consumers say they would be likely to ask a
medical professional about taking more than one nonprescription
medicine at a time.
◆ One-quarter (27%) of medical professionals say their patients
frequently ask them about this issue.

Section 1:
Key Findings
9. Most medical professionals make an effort to discuss
nonprescription medicines with their patients/customers.
" Two in three (65%) medical professionals spend more than a minute
discussing nonprescription medicines.
" Compared to other medical professionals, doctors are less likely to
spend more than a minute discussing nonprescription medicines.
◆ Half (52%) of doctors report spending less than a minute
discussing nonprescription medicine, compared to 28% of
pharmacists, 26% of pediatric nurses, and 25% of nurses.
10. Different ailments prompt medical professionals to discuss

nonprescription medicines with their patients/customers.
" When discussing pain relief (68%) or common cold ailments (67%)
with patients/customers, medical professionals talk about
nonprescription medicine use most or all of the time.
" Other categories for which nonprescription medicine use is discussed
most or all of the time include:
◆ Allergy or sinus relief (58%)
◆ Constipation, diarrhea or gas (49%)
◆ Heartburn, indigestion or other stomach problems (45%)

Section 1:
Key Findings
11. Americans and medical professionals give different

explanations for why they may not communicate with each
other about nonprescription medicines.
" One-quarter (24%) of medical professionals say that the main reason
their patients do not ask about nonprescription medicine is because they
have all the information they need or know what to do.
◆ Only one in ten (11%) Americans say they have not received
information from a doctor, pharmacist or nurse over the past six
months because they have all the information they need or know
what to do with their nonprescription medicine.
" Seventeen percent of medical professionals say that the main reason
believe nonprescription medicines are safe.
◆ Only four percent of Americans say they have not received
information from a medical professional over the past six months
because they believe nonprescription medicines are safe.
12. Medical professionals get their information about

nonprescription medicines from a number of sources.
" Two-fifths (42%) turn to drug product labeling or the PDR most or all
of the time to learn about nonprescription medicine.
" Other sources include:
◆ Continuing professional education (39%)
◆ Drug manufacturers (32%)
◆ Medical journals (31%)

Section 2:
Perceptions of How Patients Take
OTC Drugs
1. A majority of medical professionals agree that
patients/customers are taking more nonprescription products
than they did five years ago.
" Three-quarters (73%) of medical professionals believe

patients/customers are taking more nonprescription medicines than they
did five years ago.
I’d
I’dlike
likeyou
youto
tothink
thinkabout
medicine,that
thatis,
is,medicine
medicine
available
available at a store or pharmacy without a prescription. Doyou
at a store or pharmacy without a prescription. Do you
believe
believeyour
yourpatients/customers
patients/customersarearetaking
takingmore,
more,fewer
fewerororabout
aboutthe
the
same number of products as they did five years ago?
More 73%
Fewer
5%
About the
same 21%
Don’t know/
Not sure (VOL)
1%

Section 2:
OTC Drugs
2. A majority of each type of medical professional interviewed feel
that nonprescription medicine use has increased in the past five
years.
" More than three-quarters of doctors (78%) and pharmacists (83%) feel
that patients/customers are taking more nonprescription medicines than
five years ago.
I’d
I’dlike
likeyou
youto
tothink
thinkabout
medicine,that
thatis,
is,medicine
medicine
available
available at a store or pharmacy without a prescription. Doyou
at a store or pharmacy without a prescription. Do you
believe
believeyour
patients/customersarearetaking
takingmore,
more,fewer
fewerororabout
aboutthe
the
Ped.
Total Doctors Pharmacists Nurses Nurses
(n=451) (n=150) (n=151) (n=50) (n=100)
% % % % %
More 73 78 83 50 63
Fewer 5 1 3 12 10
21 21 13 36 26
Don’t know/Not sure (VOL) 1 - 1 2 1

Section 2:
OTC Drugs
3. The majority of medical professionals feels that inappropriate
use of nonprescription medicine is a serious problem.
" Four in five (79%) feel inappropriate use is a somewhat or more serious
problem.
" One in three (32%) feels it is very or extremely serious.
How
Howserious
seriousor
ornot
notserious
seriousof
ofaaproblem
problemisisthe
theinappropriate
inappropriateuse
useof
of
nonprescription
medicine?
Extremely serious 8%
32%
Very serious 24% 79%
Somewhat serious
47%
Not very serious

18%
Not at all serious

3%
Don’t know/Not
sure (VOL)
0%

Section 2:
OTC Drugs
3. Medical professionals feel a number of self-medicating behaviors

are widespread problems.
" Among those who feel that the inappropriate use of nonprescription
medicine is a serious problem, half (51%) feel that taking
nonprescription and prescription medicines concurrently is a very or
extremely widespread problem.
" Also viewed as very or extremely widespread problems by at least a
third of these medical professionals are:
◆ Long-term or chronic use of nonprescription medicine (44%)

◆ Taking doses of nonprescription medicine too frequently
throughout the day (35%)
◆ Taking too much of a dose at one time (33%)
◆ Taking a nonprescription medicine that doesn’t treat the problem
(32%)
◆ Use of nonprescription medicine for prescription indications
(32%)

Section 2:
OTC Drugs
IIam
amgoing
goingto
toread
readyou
youaalist
listof
ofways
waysin
inwhich
whichyour
patients/customers
may
may be using nonprescription medicine inappropriately. In
be using nonprescription medicine inappropriately. Inyour
your
opinion,
opinion,how
howwidespread
widespreadof ofaaproblem
problemisiseach
eachof
ofthe
thefollowing?
following?
Summary of “Extremely/very widespread”
Taking nonprescription and

prescription medicine at the same 51%
time
Long-term or chronic use of
nonprescription medicine 44%
Taking doses of nonprescription
medicine too frequently throughout
the day 35%
Taking too much of a dose at one

time 33%
Taking a nonprescription medicine

that doesn’t treat the problem 32%
Use of nonprescription medicine for

prescription indications 32%
Simultaneous uses of multiple
nonprescription medicines with the
27%
same active ingredients
Not taking a nonprescription

medicine when it is needed 20%
Base: Believe inappropriate use of NPMs is at least somewhat serious (n=359)

Section 2:
OTC Drugs
4. A majority of medical professionals who feel inappropriate

nonprescription medicine use is a serious problem identify a
number of contributing factors.
" Seven in ten medical professionals (69%) feel that a lack of knowledge
about active ingredients contributes a lot or a great deal to inappropriate
use.
" Six in ten (60%) feel that the presence of the same active ingredient in
many nonprescription medicines and the failure of patients/customers
to read product labeling are contributing factors.
5. Medical professionals assess factors contributing to

inappropriate use somewhat differently.
" Pharmacists (68%) are more likely than other medical professionals to
feel that the presence of the same active ingredient in multiple
nonprescription medicines contributes a lot or a great deal toward
inappropriate use.
" Doctors (55%) are significantly more likely than other medical
professionals to feel that the failure among patients to ask for physician
advice contributes to inappropriate use.

Section 2:
OTC Drugs
And,
And,ininyour
youropinion,
opinion,how
howmuch
muchdoes
doeseach
eachof ofthe
thefollowing
followingcontribute
contributeto
to
the
the inappropriate use of nonprescription medicine byyour
inappropriate use of nonprescription medicine by your
patients/customers?
patients/customers? Does
Doesititcontribute
contributeaagreat
greatdeal,
deal,aalot,
lot,somewhat,
somewhat,not
not
very
verymuch,
much,orornot
notatatall?
all?
Summary of “A great deal/a lot”
Your patients/customers don’t

know the active ingredient in a 69%
branded product
The fact that many different

nonprescription medicines contain 60%
the same active ingredient
Your patients/customers may not

bother to read the label 60%
Your patients/customers find the 47%

label confusing
Your patients/customers do not 42%

ask your advice
Base: Believe inappropriate use of NPMs is at least somewhat serious

Section 3:
Counseling About Adverse Reactions
1. A majority of medical professionals interviewed have recently
counseled a patient or customer regarding a negative reaction to a
nonprescription medication.
" Three in five (60%) medical professionals have treated or advised a

patient or customer who has experienced a negative reaction to a
nonprescription medicine in the past six months.
In
Inthe
thepast
pastsix
sixmonths,
months,have
haveyou
youtreated
treatedor
oradvised
advisedaapatient/customer
patient/customerwho
whoexperienced
experiencedaa
negative reaction or side effect from taking a nonprescription medicine?
negative reaction or side effect from taking a nonprescription medicine?
Asked of doctors, nurses and pharmacists
Yes
60%
No 39%
Don’t know/
Not sure (VOL)
1%

Section 3:
Counseling About Adverse Reactions
2. The majority of medical professionals agree in their approach to

treating or advising a patient with a negative reaction to a
" Among those who have experience with patients displaying side
effects, seven in ten (71%) recommend that their patients stop taking
the nonprescription medicine altogether.
" Far fewer medical professionals recommend that their

patients/customers take a different nonprescription medicine (17%) or
contact a doctor (12%).
" Only three percent reassure their patient/customer and advise continued
use of the nonprescription medicine.

Section 4:
Counseling Patients/Customers About
OTC Use
1. The majority of medical professionals use a direct line of

communication when it comes to their patients’/customers’ use
of nonprescription medicine.
" Three in four (75%) medical professionals ask their patients/customers

directly about nonprescription medicine use most or all of the time.
" Two in five (42%) medical professionals report that they find out about
patients’ use when patients initiate the conversation.
" Only one-quarter of medical professionals wait for patients to volunteer
such information (27%) or for patients to provide a list of
nonprescription medicines they are taking (27%) most or all of the
time.
2. Medical professionals rely on communication in varying degrees.
" Pediatric nurses (88%) and nurses (86%) are more likely than doctors
(75%) and pharmacists (62%) to ask their patients directly about the
nonprescription medicines they are taking.
" Pediatric nurses (66%) and pharmacists (59%) are more likely to find
out about nonprescription medicine use when patients ask them about it
directly.

Section 4:
OTC Use
3. Medical professionals say they ask their patients about issues

having to do with nonprescription medicine more frequently than
their patients ask them.
patients about taking more than one nonprescription medicine at a time.
their patients about taking more than the recommended dose of a
◆ Only one in six (16%) say their patients frequently ask them.
patients about drug interactions.
their patients about the use of nonprescription medicine immediately
prior to surgery.

Section 4:
OTC Use
4. Consumers are more likely to say that they would ask a medical
professional about a particular issue having to do with
nonprescription medications than medical professionals say their
patients are likely to ask them.
" More than half (55%) of consumers say they would be likely to ask a
medical professional about the use of nonprescription medicine
immediately prior to or following surgery.
◆ Only one-quarter (27%) of medical professionals say their
patients frequently ask about this issue.
" Three out of ten (30%) consumers say they would be likely to ask a
medical professional about taking more than the recommended dose of
a nonprescription medicine.
◆ Only one out of six (16%) medical professionals say their patients
frequently ask about this issue.
" Four out of ten (40%) consumers say they would be likely to ask a
medical professional about taking more than one nonprescription
medicine at a time.
◆ One-quarter (27%) of medical professionals say their patients
frequently ask them about this issue.

Section 4:
OTC Use
I’m
I’mgoing
goingto
toread
readyou
youaalist
listof
ofways
waysthat
thatyou
youmay
mayfind
findout
outabout
aboutyour
your
patients’/customers’
patients’/customers’ use of nonprescription medicine. For eachof
use of nonprescription medicine. For each ofthe
the
following, how often do the following occur?
following, how often do the following occur?
Ped.
(n=451) (n=150) (n=151) (n=50) (n=100)
Summary of “All/Most of the time”
% % % % %
You ask patients/customers about 75 75 62 88 86

their use of nonprescription medicine
You get information from looking at 58 53 50 70 74

the patient’s medical chart/customer’s
patient profile
Your patients/customers ask you 42 23 59 66 35

about their use of nonprescription
medicine
You wait for patients/customers to 27 26 29 22 27
volunteer information about taking
nonprescription medicine
Your patients/customers provide you 27 17 18 48 43

with a list of nonprescription
medicines they are taking

Section 4:
OTC Use
Medical Medical Consumers ask

Professionals Professionals Medical
Say Patients Ask Ask Patients* Professionals**
Them*
(n=451) (n=451) (n=1011)
% % %
Taking more than one nonprescription 27 49 40

medicine at a time
Taking more than the recommended 16 42 30

dose of a nonprescription medicine
The use of nonprescription medicine 27 43 55

immediately prior to or following
surgery
How they should use the product 37 62 N/A
Drug interactions 25 50 N/A
What nonprescription medicine they 42 56 N/A

should use to treat the problem
*Summary of All/Most of the time **Summary of Extremely/Very likely

Section 4:
OTC Use
Medical Professionals Medical Consumers Ask

Say Patients Ask Professionals Medical
Them* Ask Patients* Professionals**
(n=451) (n=451) (n=1011)
% % %
If it is okay to take a nonprescription 46 N/A N/A

medicine if they have a medical
condition like high blood pressure
How well the product works N/A 54 N/A
Use of aspirin for a heart condition N/A N/A 48
Use of a nonprescription pain reliever N/A N/A 36
Use of leftover prescription antibiotics N/A N/A 33
*Summary of All/Most of the time **Summary of Extremely/Very likely

Section 4:
OTC Use
5. Most medical professionals spend more than a minute discussing
nonprescription medicine with their patients.
" Almost half (48%) of the doctors surveyed report spending more than a
minute discussing nonprescription medicine with patients, compared to
72% of pharmacists, 74% of pediatric nurses, and 75% of nurses.
When
Whenyou
youdiscuss
discussnonprescription
medicinewith
withyour
your
patients/customers,
patients/customers, on average, how much time doyou
on average, how much time do youspend
spend
speaking with them?
speaking with them?
Ped.
(n=451) (n=150) (n=151) (n=50) (n=100)
% % % % %
Less than 30 seconds 4 7 1 4 6
52% 28% 26% 25%
30 seconds to 1 minute 31 45 27 22 19
More than 1 minute 65 48 72 74 74
Don’t know/Not sure (VOL) - - - - 1

Section 4:
OTC Use
6. Medical professionals frequently discuss nonprescription
medicine use for a number of ailments.
" Pain relief (68%), cough/cold/sore throat (67%) and allergy or sinus
relief (58%) are the most commonly discussed.
How
Howoften
oftendo
doyou
youdiscuss
discusswith
withyour
patients/customersthe
theuse
useof
of
nonprescription medicine for each of the following therapeutic
nonprescription medicine for each of the following therapeutic
categories?
categories?
Summary of “All/Most of the time”
For pain relief 68%
For cough, cold or sore throat 67%
For allergy or sinus relief 58%
For constipation, diarrhea or gas 49%

For heartburn, indigestion or other
stomach problems 45%
For infections such as athlete’s foot or
a yeast infection 38%
For skin problems 30%

Section 4:
OTC Use
7. In an average week, doctors indicate that they are more than

twice as likely to be asked about prescription medications than
nonprescription medications by their patients.
" Doctors say that six out of ten (62%) of their patients ask them about
prescription medicine during an average week.
" One in four (25%) patients ask doctors about nonprescription medicine.
Pharmacists are almost twice as likely to be asked about
prescription medications than nonprescription medications by
their customers.
" Sixty-five percent of customers ask pharmacists about prescription
medicine in an average week.
" Nearly two in five (37%) customers ask pharmacists about
nonprescription medication.
Unlike doctors and pharmacists, pediatric nurses report that they
are more likely to be asked about nonprescription medications
than prescription medications by their patients.
" Two in five (41%) patients ask pediatric nurses about nonprescription
medicines during an average week.
" About one-third (37%) ask them about prescription medicines.
Nurses are more likely to be asked about prescription
medications than nonprescription medications by their patients.
" Fifty-seven percent of patients ask nurses about prescription medicines
in an average week, while one in three (34%) patients asks about
nonprescription medicines.

Section 4:
OTC Use
8. Medical professionals field a number of questions about

" Nearly half (46%) are asked by patients most or all of the time if it is
okay to take a nonprescription medicine if there is a preexisting
medical condition such as high blood pressure.
" One in four (25%) medical professionals is asked most or all of the
time about drug interactions, while only 16% are asked about taking
more than the recommended dose of a nonprescription medicine.

Section 4:
OTC Use
For
Foreach
eachof
ofthe
thefollowing,
following,please
pleasetell
tellme
mehow
howfrequently
frequentlyyour
your
patients/customers ask you about (ITEM).
patients/customers ask you about (ITEM).
Summary of All/Most of the time
If it is okay to take a nonprescription

medicine if they have a medical
46%
condition such as high blood pressure
What nonprescription medicine they

42%
should use to treat the problem
37%
How they should use the product
How they should use nonprescription

27%
medicine immediately prior to or
following surgery
Taking more than one nonprescription 27%

medicine at a time
25%
Drug interactions
Taking more than the recommended dose 16%

of a nonprescription medicine

Section 4:
OTC Use
9. One in four medical professionals assumes that patients/
customers do not ask about nonprescription medicine because
they have enough information.
" Twenty-four percent of medical professionals feel they are not asked
about nonprescription medicine because patients/customers have all the
information they need or already know what to do.
◆ Pharmacists (33%) and pediatric nurses (32%) are more likely
than doctors (17%) and nurses (15%) to assume this.
" Seventeen percent assume they are not asked because

patients/customers believe nonprescription medicines are safe.
◆ Doctors (25%) and nurses (17%) are more likely than pharmacists
(12%) and pediatric nurses (10%) to assume this.
" One in five (21%) pharmacists assume that they are not asked about
nonprescription medicines because patients do not want to bother them.

Section 4:
OTC Use
10. Consumers and medical professionals give different
explanations for why they do not communicate with each other
about nonprescription medicines.
" One-quarter (24%) of medical professionals say that the main reason
have all the information they need or know what to do.
◆ Only one in ten (11%) Americans say they have not received
because they have all the information they need or know what to
do with their nonprescription medicine.
" Seventeen percent of medical professionals say that the main reason
believe nonprescription medicines are safe.
◆ Only four percent of Americans say they have not received
because they believe nonprescription medicines are safe.
" Only one percent of medical professionals says that the main reason
their patients don’t receive information about nonprescription medicine
is because of a lack of access to a medical professional or because their
patients didn’t see them.
◆ One-third (32%) of Americans cite lack of access to medical
professionals or not seeing a medical professional as a reason for
not receiving information over the past six months.

Section 4:
OTC Use
Now,
Now,I’d
I’dlike
likeyou
youto
tothink
thinkabout
aboutwhy
whyyour
patients/customersdo
donot
not
ask
ask you about nonprescription medicine. What do you assume arethe
you about nonprescription medicine. What do you assume are the
main
mainreasons
reasonsyour
patients/customersdo
donot
notask
askyou
youabout
about
nonprescription
medicine?
Ped.
Multiple responses allowed
Not sure responses omitted
(n=451) (n=150) (n=151) (n=50) (n=100)
% % % % %
Had all the information they needed/ 24 17 33 32 15

Knew what to do
Believe nonprescription medicines 17 25 12 10 17

are safe
Embarrassed to discuss the situation 15 17 13 18 15

in detail
Don’t think it was necessary 10 9 15 6 7
Don’t want to bother you 10 5 21 2 4
Don’t think they had time to talk to you 8 8 16 2 1

about nonprescription medicine
Concern about challenging your 5 6 4 - 7

authority
Forgot to ask 2 3 1 4 1
Don’t have access to a medical 1 1 1 4 -

professional/Don’t see them
Other 28 33 15 36 36

Section 5: Sources of Information About
nonprescription Medicine
1. Medical professionals turn to a number of resources to learn

about nonprescription medicine.
" Nearly half (42%) turn to drug labels or the PDR most or all of the time
to learn about nonprescription medicine.
" Other sources include:
◆ Continuing professional education (39%)
◆ Drug manufacturers (32%)
◆ Medical journals (31%)
2. Different sources are utilized depending on the type of medical

professional.
" Among doctors, the top sources for information on nonprescription

medicine are advertising (33%) and drug labels or the PDR (32%).
" Among pharmacists, the top sources are continued professional
education (52%) and medical journals (42%).
" Among pediatric nurses, the top sources are drug manufacturers (72%)
and drug labels or the PDR (66%).
" Among nurses, the top sources are drug labels or the PDR (67%),
professional colleagues (45%), and colleagues in other health
professions (45%).

Section 5: Sources of Information About
nonprescription Medicine
There
Thereare
aremany
manyways
waystotolearn
learnabout
nonprescriptionmedicine.
medicine. For
Foreach
eachof
of
the following, please tell me how you learn about nonprescription medicine.
the following, please tell me how you learn about nonprescription medicine.
Summary of All/Most of the time, Multiple responses allowed, Not sure responses omitted
Drug labels or PDR 42%
Continuing professional 39%

education
Drug manufacturer 32%
Medical journals 31%

Advertising through
newspapers, Internet, 29%
magazines, radio, and/or TV
Colleagues in my profession 28%
Colleagues in other health 25%

professions
Reference books 25%
Trade press 19%
Facts and Comparisons 1%

Section 6:
Demographic Profile—Doctors
Age % Gender %
Under 30 - Male 85
30 - 34 7 Female 15
35 - 39 10
40 - 49 31
50 or older 52
Refused -
Specialty %
Mean age (in years) 48.4
Median age (in years) 50.2 General Practitioner 16
Family Practice 43
Internal Medicine 41
# of Years in Practice %
5 or less 10
6-10 16
11-20 35
21-25 15
26-30 12
31 or more 12
Don’t know/Not sure -
Mean: 19.0
Median: 18.0

Section 6:
Demographic Profile—Pharmacists
Age % Gender %
Under 30 13 Male 66
30 - 34 13 Female 34
35 - 39 13
40 - 49 33
50 or older 27
Refused -
# of Prescriptions Filled per
Mean age (in years) 42.3 Week %
100 or less 1
101-250 7
251-500 16
501-750 15
751-1000 17
1001-2000 31
# of Years in Practice % 2001 or more 7
Don’t know/Not sure 6
5 or less 13
6-10 15 Mean: 1069.5
11-20 28 Median: 900.0
21-25 17
26-30 13
31 or more 13
Mean: 19.1
Median: 20.0

Section 6:
Demographic Profile—Pediatric Nurses
Age % Gender %
Under 30 4 Male 2
30 - 34 10 Female 98
35 - 39 8
40 - 49 46
50 or older 32
Refused -

5 or less 6
6-10 18
11-20 26
21-25 16
26-30 18
31 or more 16
Mean: 20.5
Median: 20.5

Section 6:
Demographic Profile—Nurses
Age % Gender %
Under 30 7 Male 1
30 - 34 5 Female 99
35 - 39 10
40 - 49 43
50 or older 33
Refused 2

5 or less 7
6-10 10
11-20 33
21-25 18
26-30 16
31 or more 15
Don’t know/Not sure 1
Mean: 21.1
Median: 20.0

Final Survey

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Final Survey

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Attitudes and Beliefs

About the Use of

Background and Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Page 2 Harris Interactive Inc.

Page 3 Harris Interactive Inc.

Highlights of the Findings

2. Despite widespread use of nonprescription medicines, many consumers need more

Page 4 Harris Interactive Inc.

Page 5 Harris Interactive Inc.

5. Besides new and easy-to-read label information, the involvement of health

Page 6 Harris Interactive Inc.

Page 7 Harris Interactive Inc.

1. Americans say they are in good health.

Not sure responses omitted

Very good 31% 84%

Page 9 Harris Interactive Inc.

2. Most Americans have visited a doctor in the past year.

" Three-quarters (74%) of Americans have visited a doctor in

Page 10 Harris Interactive Inc.

A nonprescription medicine, that is,

A prescription medicine 54%

Dietary or herbal supplements 23%

Page 11 Harris Interactive Inc.

Pain relief 78%

Cough, cold, flu or sore throat 52%

Allergy or sinus relief 45%

Constipation, diarrhea or gas 21%

Page 12 Harris Interactive Inc.

Base: Taken nonprescription medication in the past six months (n=598)

Two 21% Pres cription

Don’t know/not sure 3%

About the same 54%

Don’t know/not sure 4%

Page 14 Harris Interactive Inc.

" One-half (54%) of Americans say they use nonprescription medication

More frequently 19%

Less frequently 22%

About the same 54%

Don’t know/not sure 5%

Page 15 Harris Interactive Inc.

1. Americans are more likely to read nonprescription medication

Americans are equally likely to read nonprescription medication

Page 16 Harris Interactive Inc.

2. Although the vast majority of Americans who use nonprescription

Page 17 Harris Interactive Inc.

Page 18 Harris Interactive Inc.

Possible side 10%

Page 19 Harris Interactive Inc.

Page 20 Harris Interactive Inc.

3. Under certain circumstances, Americans say they are likely to

Summary of “Yes,” multiple responses allowed

When giving the nonprescription

If you haven’t read the label in a

Page 21 Harris Interactive Inc.

Can correctly identify active 34%

Cannot correctly identify active 66%

Page 22 Harris Interactive Inc.

Both weight and age 54%

Neither weight nor age 1%

Don’t know/not sure 9%

Page 23 Harris Interactive Inc.

Less concentrated 51%